Aviation Emissions Mitigation: Are we doing enough?

THIS YEAR, 2019, has been seen by both industry and ICAO as drawing a line under the development of the international aviation emissions mitigation programme, mandated to ICAO under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, with the focus turning to implementation. In 2009, ICAO defined a basket of mitigation measures in the form of improved technology and operations, evolution of sustainable fuels, and market-based measures (MBMs). In 2016, the triennial ICAO Assembly set out the final link, a framework for a global MBM in the form of CORSIA, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. ICAO has since been elaborating much of the detail, with endorsement anticipated at this year's Assembly (24-Sep to 04-Oct).

CORSIA will have a pilot phase from 2021 to 2023 and a first phase from 2024 to 2026, each applicable for volunteering States, with a second phase of full implementation from 2027 through 2035. All international flights on routes between included States are covered by the offsetting requirements, irrespective of the principal place of business of the airlines concerned. There are exemptions for routes to and from Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States and Landlocked Developing Countries, again irrespective of the airline origin.